Cable retainer for sided structure

ABSTRACT

A cable retainer for sided structures is an apparatus to secure and hold low-voltage and data-type cables to clapboards on the side of a residential or commercial structure. A clip type arrangement is used that slides between the boards where they overlap one another. The clip can be pushed in with a special tool or hammered in as well. The side of the clip is provided with plastic barbs which aid in retaining the invention. The bottom contains a “U”-shaped clip that holds smaller cables and another version of the invention has a slit which is used with a conventional cable-tie for retaining larger or multiple cables. Placed approximately every four feet, any type of cable is neatly held without sagging. If the cable is removed, the clip is supplied with a pre-scored mark that allows the bottom portion of the invention to be snapped off and removed while leaving the concealed upper portion in place.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention was first described in Disclosure DocumentRegistration 493,779 filed on May 18, 2001 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37C.F.R. §1.14. There are no previously filed, nor currently anyco-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to low voltage cables and wiringand, more particularly, to a cable retainer for sided structure andinstallation tool therefore.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to the proliferation of telephones, fax machines, modems, computernetworks, satellite systems, cable television networks and the like, thecables that make these systems work are everywhere and more are beinginstalled every day. A common method of installing these cables is alongthe exterior of a residential or commercial structure and then pokingthrough the wall where needed. While this method certainly works, it iscertainly not aesthetically pleasing. The clips or fastener are oftenscrewed or nailed directly to the siding. This process requires muchtime to install, and should it be removed at another date, unsightlyholes are left behind. Also, the fasteners tend to pop off with timeallowing the cable to sag. This also subjects the cable to greater riskof damage, thus affecting the integrity of the communication circuit aswell.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that readdirectly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the followingreferences were considered related.

The following patents disclose a clamp for electrically-conductivestrips:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,976 issued in the name of Franks, Jr.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,504 issued in the name of Franks, Jr.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,982 issued in the name of Mangone, Jr. describes acable clip for attaching a cable to a support.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,313 issued in the name of Rinke discloses a cableholder for use in conjunction with a boat having a deck handrail.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,622 issued in the name of Auclair describes a cablerack bond clamp.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,205 issued in the name of Franks, Jr. discloses atelephone cable lashing wire clamp.

And, U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,395 issued in the name of Franks, Jr. describesan underground clamping device for electrically-conductive strips.

Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and methodof by which low-voltage and communication cables can be quickly andsecurely attached to the exterior of a sided structure without thedisadvantages as listed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus and method of by which low-voltage and communicationcables can be quickly and securely attached to the exterior of a sidedstructure.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved cableretainer particularly adapted for installation on a sided structure. Itis a further feature of the present invention to provide an installationtool therefore.

Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention,a cable retainer for sided structures is an apparatus to secure and holdlow-voltage and data-type cables to clapboards on the side of aresidential or commercial structure. The invention uses a clip typearrangement that slides between the boards where they overlap oneanother. The invention is made of hard plastic, but contains a sharpmetal point to aid in the insertion process. The invention can be pushedin with a special tool or hammered in as well. The side of the clip isprovided with plastic barbs which aid in retaining the invention. Thebottom of the invention contains a “U”-shaped clip that holds smallercables and another version of the invention has a slit which is usedwith a conventional cable-tie for retaining larger or multiple cables.The invention would be placed approximately every four feet to neatlyhold any type of cable without sagging. If the cable is removed, theinvention is supplied with a pre-scored mark that allows the bottomportion of the invention to be snapped off and removed while leaving theconcealed upper portion in place.

The use of the Cable Retainer for Sided Structures provides cableinstallers a quick, easy and effective means for supporting cables fromthe exterior of wood or metal sided structures.

An advantage of the present invention is that it can be used easily onsided structures having horizontal clapboards to hold telephone, cable,data and similar cables.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for aneat appearance of such cables.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides forsuch installation without the need for power tools during installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following more detailed description andclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable retainer in combination with aninstallation tool according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cable retainer thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the installation tool thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms ofits preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a cable retainer 10 in combination with aninstallation tool 40 is shown, according to the present invention. Thecable retainer 10, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1-3, is formed of aguide member formed of a support plate 12, a cylindrical guide 14, and asecurement means 16. The support plate 12 is formed of a generally flat,planar member having a support surface 17 for affixing the cylindricalguide 14 thereto. Shown herein as a generally rectangular flat plate,the support plate 12 has a driving head 18 formed along its lowermostsurface and opposite the securement means 16 that is planarly alignedwith the support plate 12 and opposite the head 18. The cylindricalguide 14 is envisioned as a horizontally aligned, cylindrical tubehaving an outer sidewall surrounding and forming a cable holding conduit14 b. The securement means 16 is shown herein as a tapered extension ofthe support plate 12 terminating at an insertion tip 20, and having agripping surface 22 therebetween along the outer surfaces.

Additionally, a removal score 30 is anticipated as being a horizontallydisposed channel 32 formed between the support plate 12 and securementmeans 16 to allow separation of the support plate 12 upon application ofsufficient laterally applied strain.

In FIG. 1, in conjunction with FIGS. 4-5, the installation tool 40 isshown in greater detail as a slotted tool used to drive and remove thecable retainer. As shown, a receiving head 42 is affixed to an urgingmember 44 extending downward therefrom along the vertical centerline ofthe installation tool 40. The receiving head 42 is formed of a fronthead plate 42 a mounted parallelly to and offset from a rear head plate42 b via a receiving head base plate 46 such as to form a support platereceiving cavity therebetween. The front head plate 42 a further forms areceiving slot 48 for accepting passage of the guide 14 when the guidemember is placed within the installation tool 40. The urging member 44is anticipated as being a hammering base, allowing for driving of thetool by striking with a hammer or similar hand tool.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, asshown in FIG. 1, the cable holder 10 is placed such that the insertiontip 20 is wedged between two vertical surface, such as sidingclapboards. Driving the gripping surface 22 between such clapboardsusing the installation tool 40, the support plate 12 remains accessiblewith the cable guide 14 exposed horizontally. A plurality of such cableholders 10 are installed in a similar manner, thereby allowing forpassage of cable or wire through the cable conduits 14 b of thecylindrical guides 14. Should the user desire removal, application of anupward pulling strain on the support plate 12 will allow separation ofthe support plate 12 from the securement means 16 along the removalscore 30.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and theirequivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited onlyby the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable retainer for sided structures comprising:a guide member adapted for use on sided buildings; said guide membercomprising a support plate having a generally flat, planar member havinga support surface for affixing a cylindrical guide thereto; a drivinghead formed along a lowermost surface of said planar member and oppositea securement means; said securement means being in the same plane withthe support plate and opposite said driving head; whereby saidsecurement means is adapted to be wedged between sliding clapboards of abuilding; the cylinder guide affixed to said support plate; thesecurement means extending from said support plate; and an installationtool for use in combination with said cable retainer.
 2. The cableretainer of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical guide comprises ahorizontally aligned, cylindrical tube having an outer sidewallsurrounding and forming a cable holding conduit.
 3. The cable retainerof claim 1, wherein said securement means comprises a tapered extensionof said support plate and terminating at an insertion tip.
 4. The cableretainer of claim 3, wherein said securement means further comprises agripping surface along an outer surface.
 5. The cable retainer of claim1, further comprising a removal score forming a horizontally disposedchannel formed between said support plate and said securement means forallowing separation of said support plate upon application of sufficientlaterally applied strain.
 6. The cable retainer of claim 1, wherein saidinstallation tool comprises a slotted tool used to drive and remove saidcable retainer.
 7. The cable retainer of claim 6, wherein saidinstallation tool comprises a receiving head affixed to an urging memberextending downward therefrom along a vertical centerline.
 8. The cableretainer of claim 7, wherein said receiving head comprises a front headplate mounted parallel to and offset from a rear head plate via areceiving head base plate such as to form a support plate receivingcavity therebetween.
 9. The cable retainer of claim 8, wherein saidfront head plate further forms a receiving slot.
 10. The cable retainerof claim 7, herein said urging member comprising a hammering base,allowing for driving of the tool by striking with a hammer or similarhand tool.